Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

461. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review of eligibility for illness benefit payment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36684/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My department received an application for Illness Benefit from the person concerned on 27^th July 2024.

The person concerned does not qualify for Illness Benefit as they do not satisfy the pay-related social insurance contribution conditions.

It is open for the person concerned to make an application for the long-term, means-tested Disability Allowance.

If the person concerned is in urgent need of financial assistance, it is open for them to contact the Community Welfare Officer in their local Intreo office to enquire about assistance under the means-tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

462. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to review the application for adult dependent allowance/benefit in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36790/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

An increase for qualified adult (IQA) is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit.

Where a qualified adult has weekly means of less than €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable. Where their weekly means are over €100 and not more than €310, a tapering reduced rate of IQA is payable. If the qualified adult has means of more than €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment. Where property or assets are held jointly, the qualified adult's means are assessed as half of the total amount. The family home is not included in the means assessment.

As part of my Department’s commitment to ensuring that claimants are receiving their full and correct entitlements, ongoing reviews of all means tested payments are carried out. In the case of an increase for qualified adult (IQA) on SPC, the primary claimant is contacted by my Department to notify them that their continuing entitlement to the means tested IQA payment is being examined. A questionnaire is required to be completed to include details of the means of their qualified adult.

A questionnaire issued to the person concerned on 7 March 2024. Upon receipt of the completed questionnaire with self-declared means, the IQA was reviewed. As the weekly means of the qualified adult were in excess of €310 per week, the person concerned was no longer entitled to this payment. The IQA ceased with effect from 27 June 2024.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision. The claim was reviewed by my department. The decision to stop the IQA was upheld. The person concerned was notified of the outcome.

The person concerned has appealed the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. This office functions independently of my Department and Appeals Officers are independent in their decision-making functions. The Social Welfare Appeals Office will be in touch with the person concerned in relation to the progress of their appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.